Santa Claus banned from school district

Marie Rossiter

8:52 AM, Nov 30, 2016

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NILES, IL - DECEMBER 19: Sporting a natural white beard, Santa Claus visits with Ian, 2, and sister Devin Rachiele, 4, December 19, 2003 at Golf Mill Mall in Niles, Illinois. Santa says that the children that visit him feel more comfortable when he is not wearing his traditional Santa coat and hat. (Photo by Tim Boyle/Getty Images)

Tim Boyle

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An Oregon school district has put Santa Claus on its naughty list and banned him from any building holiday decorations.

Hillsboro School District communications director Beth Graser told KATU 2 that the district sent out a memo to the staff with guidelines on how to appropriately decorate hallways and classrooms during the holiday season.

A section of the memo obtained by the station states:

You may still decorate your door or office if you like, but we ask that you be respectful and sensitive to the diverse perspectives and beliefs of our community and refrain from using religious-themed decorations or images like Santa Claus.

Despite the memo being meant for staff member eyes only, word of the Santa ban quickly spread to district parents, who expressed confusion and disappointment.

What do you think about the Santa ban? Take our poll below.

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